Shortly before Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis in 1968, he was out on the streets marching with striking sanitation workers. King knew that the struggle for Civil Rights was closely tied to the fight for economic justice.Β 

Now, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Day, we have an opportunity to support striking workers again.Β 

A bill before the Washington State Legislature in Olympia (SB 5041) would give workers access to unemployment insurance benefits if they are out on strike for more than two weeks.

This will help level the playing field in contract negotiationsΒ and discourage employers from threatening workers with economic hardship as a bargaining strategy.

On Tuesday, the SB 5041 will be heard by the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee at 10:30 a.m. Please sign in favor of the bill before then by using the link below. ✍️

SIGN IN "PRO" TO SUPPORT STRIKING WORKERSΒ 

By approving SB 5041, Washington can join New York, New Jersey and Maine in allowing workers access unemployment insurance while they are on strike.Β 

Thank you for supporting striking workers and for joining us in celebrating the MLK holiday. πŸŽ‰